Improper Alloy Question

I've come across many improper alloys from the 40s but seldom find any from the 30s. Just wondering if anyone else has too. I found this one in a roll from eBay.

 

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Actually, I don't see it very often outside of the 20's Lincolns.

 

The most common I have seen is the 1909-S (percentage wise, anyway). Basically, once you get past the mid 20's, the later they get, the rarer they get.

BTW, it is not improper alloys, but improper alloy mixing.

 

So how do you know the difference between improper alloys and someone using steel wool on an old penny or do the improperly alloy mixed pennies have no scratches where the color changes .. I don't know what I'm saying anymore haha..
Whats an improper alloy mixing?

 

There are no scratches on a "woodie". The different alloy compositions just tone at different rates and to slightly to significantly different colors.

 

okay I get it.. so it takes time for that to happen. IE it only happens on older coins?

 

It is a form of toning. Toning can happen in a couple years or not happen for 100's of years.

 

Thank's for the info! have you ever seen it on quarters?
also have you ever seen it with colors other then the coins original toning
like blue and silver stripes or something?

 

I have seen a few in the 30s, especially 1936,since I was searching for the DDOs. I was searching 1935 for same reason and saw none of the effect.

Jim

 

The majority of the ones that I have found are 1940 & 41. The 1930's are harder to find, 1932 seems to be one of the better years for the 30's...

 

How do you put value on them?

 

Most people devalue a coin for the graining. I look for them, but they are typically cheap. That is probably a 10¢ coin without the graining. I would think you would be lucky to get 25¢ for it - real lucky.

 

Wow, I thought it would make them unique and more valuable... I love the way they look. Especially my 1909.

 

Me too. but most of the serious collectors want them red or red/brown and there are enough of the lower grades to satisfy the demand apparently.

 

I don't think I've ever seen a Red One, do you have any pictures of one?

 

Red is the original color of the coin when it comes out of the mint. Brown is the color that you usually find wheaties in.

 

Here's a red one I recently sold:

 

I actually meant red as in the original color of the coin, but, yes, I have a red one also. Believe me. The coin is redder than my picture makes it look.

 

BadThad, is your 1932 considered an Improper Alloy Mixture?

It's hard to tell by pictures. It just looks like streaks of toning.

RLM, yea, I have alot of those Red Cents but I was wondering if you had one that was Red and an Improper Mixture. Is the one in my Avatar and your Avatar considered Red? or, does it take years of being in a roll with others for that streaking to occur?

I guess what I mean is, as soon as they are minted with an improper alloy mixture do they look like the one in our Avatars?

 

As I said before, it is a form of toning. Virtually by definition, you cannot have a red cent that has been toned - wood grained or not. In Thad's coin, the streaks are the wood graining. Here is a 1911 (probably RB) and a 1925 (not my coin). Note the grade on the 1925